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Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Over 16-thousand dollars going to Charlotte County relief efforts thanks to the Sea Dogs and their fans.

A fundraising held at the Dog's December 1st game saw fans give 7-thousand dollars. The Sea Dogs Foundation matched up to 5-thousand, and the team donated an additional 4-thousand dollars.About 100 homes were lost to flood waters month after heavy rainfall in the Charlotte Country area.

The confidence level of small businesses in New Brunswick is down compared to last month and the rest of the country.The index is down 3 points from 67.7 to 64.4 when compared to last month. The national average sits at 69.3.Andreea Bourgeois with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business tells CHSJ News 60 percent of business owners are concerned with tax and regulatory costs.

She says small business owners are looking ahead and they see another increase in the minimum wage which increases all employment costs.She says possible tax increases as well as the dire state of the province's finances weighs heavily on the small business owner.

Five new Saint John police officers are officially sworn in after a city hall ceremony today.Mayor Ivan Court emphasized the importance of respect in policing.Constable Dan Olde Damink tells CHSJ News spent 10 weeks doing on the job training last summer as part of his course.He says he was with a coach officer doing everything a police officer does. He adds the training tests you because at the academy it's all actors and not real life.

Chief Bill Reid says it's a proud moment when as a chief he can invite new people to invigorate the force. The other four new constables are Benjamin MacLeod, Christopher McCutcheon, Pamela MacInnis and Scott Prentice.

A warning from the Provincial Liberals about who's going to pay for the cost overruns with the refurbishment of the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant.

Energy critic Brian Kenney says if you listen closely to what National Revenue Minister Keith Ashfield is saying, the province is going to be left with a huge tab to pick up.

Premier David Alward has been stressing since coming into office of the need to work with the Harper Government on this issue.

The Premier and Prime Minister met and talked about it when Harper was in Saint John in late November to announce removal of the tolls from the Harbour Bridge and we were told before the Christmas break he was seeking more information.

A warning from the Provincial Liberals about who's going to pay for the cost overruns with the refurbishment of the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant.

Energy critic Brian Kenney says if you listen closely to what National Revenue Minister Keith Ashfield is saying, the province is going to be left with a huge tab of at least a billion dollars and its time to play hardball.

Premier David Alward has been stressing since coming into office of the need to work with the Harper Government on this issue. The Premier and Prime Minister met talked about it when Harper was in Saint John in late November to announce removal of the tolls from the Harbour Bridge and we were told before the Christmas break was seeking more information.

Kenny says the federal crown agency, Atomic Energy of Canada has failed to live up to its side of the bargain.

A projected budget shortfall of 945-thousand dollars led Saint John Transit to hike fares and cut service levels to a number of routes.

Riders will be paying about 10% more. Adults now have to pay 2.75 for a ride while an adult monthly pass will be rising from 65 to 70 dollars.

Saint John Transit General Manager Frank McCarey tells CHSJ News certain routes like Martinon, Crescent Valley and South End will see a reduction in service as well.

The increase in cash fares is already in effect while the jump to the pass and punch cards will not happen until the first of February. The Transit commission is also hoping for an increase to ridership by 3 percent.

The ceremony to introduce to five new constables gets underway in the council chambers at 11:30 this morning.

Chief Bill Reid will host the event with Mayor Ivan Court on hand as well. Councillor Bruce Court wonders how new police officers can be brought on board when the department will be limited to a 1 per cent budget increase this year and next.

Former Common Councillor turned M-L-A for Saint John Harbour Carl Killen will be sponsoring the legislative changes necessary for the city to reform its pension plan.

The city is asking the province for permission to delay pension payments for a year and to schedule the payments over 25 years instead of over 15.

The Saint John Police Association is asking the M-L-A's to vote against. Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase, who chairs the city's finance committee, warns there will be a fiscal crisis if the changes are not given the go ahead with the prospect of a 13 cent increase in the tax rate if no services are cut.